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E46 (1999 - 2006) The fourth generation 3 Series (E46 chassis) was introduced in 1999 and set the standard for engineering and performance during it's years of production including being named to Car & Driver's 10 best list every one of those years! ! -- View the E46 Wiki

I have an intermittant starting problem on my 316i (2000) ..... it will take about 3 attempts to start it ... does not even try as if the battery is dead but then it will start and then be ok for several journies then do it again... !!!! any help gratefully appreciated as i am getting to the point i want to sell it !!!!!

If it is creeping down in the 40s around you slow starting is a good sign of a bad battery. Turn the key and hold if starts to crank really slow then speeds up and starts its the battery. Best way to tell an old battery is wait for Winter!

Thanks for the posts but my battery is only 3 months old so i dont think its that .... its happened twice again today... had to start using my spare key as other one died on me last week ..... do you think it could be sumthin to do with the key ???

Unfortunately, the dealer is the only place to get the key. New keys need to be programmed so the car will recognize them, and only dealers have the capability. You can buy a cheap key on eBay, but you'll still need to take it to a dealer for programming, and if they are willing to do it, they'll still charge you the 150.